If you’ve read our previous articles on How to Receive Your Mail at a Post Office in Japan and A List of 24hr Post Offices in Japan, you might have come across the term ゆうゆう窓口 (Yu-Yu Madoguchi or Yu-Yu Window). Even if you try to look it up or translate it, you may not find a clear meaning. Many people, including those who have been in Japan for some time, might not know exactly what this window is or what it’s used for.

What is ゆうゆう窓口/Yu-Yu Window?

Definition of Yu-Yu Window

Regular Japan Post office windows have relatively short hours, typically from 9:00 to 19:00 and closed on weekends and holidays. Some post offices are even only for specific transactions and don’t have regular windows. To provide more convenience, an additional window called Yu-Yu Window is set up. These windows often operate from 7:00 to 21:00, including weekends and holidays. Before 1999, this was even known as the “Time Out Window.” Essentially, Yu-Yu Windows offer various services outside the standard business hours of Japan Post offices, making them a handy option.

Business Hours

The hours of Yu-Yu Windows can vary depending on the post office. Many are open from 7:00 to 21:00, but there are others with shorter hours, like 8:00 to 20:00, and some that are even open 24 hours. So, how can you find out the hours of the Yu-Yu Window at your nearest post office? Or where to find a 24-hour window?

How to Find Yu-Yu Windows with Extended Hours

We’ve compiled a list of 24-hour post offices (which are essentially post offices with Yu-Yu Windows) that you can check out in this article: 24-hour post offices in Japan. If you already know the name or address of the post office and want to confirm the business hours of both the regular window and the Yu-Yu Window, you can directly check the official Japan Post website: >>Search for contact information related to Yu-Yu Window, centralized mail reception, etc. There are three ways to search:

• 郵便局の名称からさがす → Search by post office name. You can also enter hiragana here.
• 郵便番号からさがす → Search by postal code. Enter the half-width numbers without hyphens.
• 全国地図から検索する → Search from the national map. Clicking on the respective area will display all post offices with Yu-Yu Windows.

Clicking on the name will show you the map and specific opening hours.

What Can You Do at Yu-Yu Windows?

Sending Mail

As a post office window, Yu-Yu Windows offer all the basic functions: sending and receiving mail, whether it’s letters, postcards, or parcels. And with longer hours than regular post office windows, it’s perfect for people who are busy during the day or for foreign tourists who arrive in Japan late when regular post offices are closed. At a Yu-Yu Window, you can also buy postage stamps, postcards, and even use cash-on-delivery services, which are great for exchanging tickets or merchandise between fans.

Storage Waiting for Pickup

Simply put, this service allows the post office to hold items for the recipient for up to 10 days. You can pick them up during this period. We’ve already covered the specific procedures for picking up items in a previous article: How to receive packages using Japan Post addresses. If you want to store items for pickup, you can write the recipient’s address in this format on the envelope or package:

〒XXX-XXXX (Postal code) XX prefecture, XX city, XXX X-X-X (Post office address) ○○郵便局留め (This sentence must be written! Otherwise, the post office will consider it as an address error and return it.) Mr./Ms. ○○○○ (Recipient’s name)

After writing the address, drop it in the mailbox or hand it to the post office counter. The recipient’s name must be correct and match the name on their identification card, or the post office will not release the package.

Non-Delivery Notification

If you live in Japan, you may have experienced situations where a package arrives, but you’re not at home to receive it. Besides applying for redelivery online, you can also take the non-delivery notification from your mailbox and directly pick up the package at the corresponding Yu-Yu Window. The only condition is that your package was delivered by Japan Post, and the post office responsible for the delivery has a Yu-Yu Window.

Procedures Related to the Post Office

Additionally, if you move and need to submit some documents to the post office, you can handle that at the Yu-Yu Window.

Guide to Yu-Yu Window Storage Waiting for Pickup

If you’re unsure how to pick up items at a Yu-Yu Window, especially if you don’t speak Japanese, here’s a foolproof method. Just follow these steps, and you should have no trouble. First, prepare the tracking number of your package and check it on this website: https://trackings.post.japanpost.jp/services/srv/search/input. If you can speak a little Japanese, you can say this to the counter staff:

XXX (Recipient’s name) 宛ての荷物を受け取りたいのですが。 (I would like to pick up the package addressed to XXX.)

Then, show the staff the search results. If you don’t speak Japanese, you can simply show the above sentence and the search results, and they should understand.

Conclusion

Yu-Yu Windows function much like regular post office windows but with the added benefit of longer hours, making them more convenient. Think of a YuYu Window as a convenience store, while regular post office windows are more like supermarkets. Supermarkets close at certain times, but ゆうゆう窓口, some of which are even open 24 hours, offer extra convenience. Make the most of the super convenient Yu-Yu Window!

Top image from Wiki, Author: Ninosan, CC0, Link